WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University’s field hockey squad showed tremendous improvement during the spring as head coach Kathy Krannebitter continues the program’s rebuilding process. As the 2008 season draws near, the Rams expect to be fierce competitors in the Atlantic 10, after finishing in fifth place a year ago just one game out of a playoff spot.
The team showed moments of brilliance with big wins over St. Louis, LaSalle and Richmond, ending the Spiders’ 44-game unbeaten streak against A-10 conference foes in the process.
“Missing the conference tournament by one game last season left a bitter taste with the team,” Krannebitter said. “So, we are all looking forward to this season with high expectations from each and every player.”
Seven seniors, including Marisa Holzman, Desiree Walker, Jackie Eddy, Lauren DuBois, Anna Schleicher, Emily Smith and Brittney Harding lead this otherwise very young roster into the 2008 campaign. Along with bringing a wealth of playing experience to the team, these seniors share vital leadership roles as they look to lead WCU back to the promised land of postseason play.
To do that, West Chester must replace its top two scoring leaders from a year ago, both of whom were all-conference picks and among the A-10 leaders in scoring as well. A very talented freshman class with a reputation for burying the ball in the back of the net should mesh with the returning starters to help ease that transition.
DuBois, team co-captain, leads the attack with her exceptional instincts for the game and remarkable ability to create scoring opportunities. DuBois finished fourth on the team last season in goal scoring (3) and total points (8). She will head the young attack, which also includes Brittany Cislak, Amanda Wynkoop and Alex Swayze. Swayze is coming off a very impressive freshman campaign, placing third on the team in points (5) and goals scored (12). She was named to the Atlantic 10 all-rookie team as a result. Swayze is a threat to any defense and has the ability to create penalty corners and convert them into goals with her outstanding stick work.
With the loss of Shelly Brooks and Sara Conrad, the Golden Rams are relying heavily on their bench to contribute to the offensive attack. Paige Karcher, Taylor Morganti and Erin Colozzi will be providing depth to the forward line. Each is coming off a freshman season in which they saw little playing time. However, their roles will all increase exponentially this fall as Krannebitter and her coaching staff search for offensive productivity up front.
Freshman Kate Zunksi, an outstanding goal scorer with a solid high school and club background, heads that rookie class that needs to contribute. Leah Angstadt, a teammate of Zunski’s on her High Styx club team, will be utilized in many roles on the field for the Golden Rams. Angstadt also comes from a solid high school program and is a great playmaker.
Kristen Foore, an exceptional athlete from Pennsylvania state runner-up Palmyra, brings her excellent offensive skills to the Rams’ fold. She has the ability to be very dangerous in the circle with her elimination skills and shooting abilities. Another strong striker, who will be looking to compete for significant playing time is Alyssa Gallen. A local product out of Rustin High School, Gallen is a dual athlete, who brings athleticism and intensity with her to the forward line unit. Gallen is very dynamic and does whatever it takes to get the ball in her possession.
The development of this group will have a dramatic impact on how dangerous West Chester University’s attack is in 2008. If the rookies develop and perform to their expectations, Krannebitter and her staff feel the Golden Rams offense will be just fine.
“Maintaining possession, keeping the pressure on teams in our attacking end, minimizing our own mistakes and playing with confidence are the keys towards a successful run in the Atlantic 10 playoffs,” Krannebitter added. Those possessions will be won in the midfield and mistakes can be minimized with the upperclassman leadership that exists in that group.
Holzman, team co-captain with DuBois, anchors a strong midfield as she comes off a great spring season. Holzman’s intensity level contributes greatly to her successful, aggressive style of play as she looks to be another strong contributor to the offensive attack. Holzman perfected her skills at the Macabi Games in the spring – an experience that has really aided in her development.
Jacki Eddy, another co-captain, will be a key factor in the midfield as well. Together, Eddy and Holzman should provide the foundation for West Chester to control the middle of the field and orchestrate the game plan. Eddy portrays a very patient, yet persistent presence in the team’s role of solid defense. That is how she complements Holzman out on the field.
Other important midfielders expected to add to the Rams’ dominant midfield are Bethany Wong and Donna Doubet. Wong is the backbone of the midfield and a two-year returning starter. She is a great defender with the ability to break through any opponents’ defensive scheme. Anna Schleicher will also be competing for playing time this season. Schleicher saw time last year and is expected to contribute more consistently in 2008. Abbie Derr will also be competing for playing time and provides depth in the midfield.
The Rams’ strong defensive unit will be led by senior captain Desiree Walker. She will look to replace one of last year’s starters, Niki Doganes, who was named all-conference honorable mention. The Golden Rams should have no problem adjusting to their new playing style. Among key players, who will be contributing greatly to the defense, is Emily Smith, a transfer student from UMBC a year ago, who is the Rams’ only returning starter on defense. She possesses great instincts and stick skills in the back that thwart many scoring opportunities. Patti Loughlin, another very dangerous player with outstanding defensive skills, and Jessica Brown, a solid and confident player who possesses strong tackling skills and tough man defense, will be expected to contribute to the Rams’ defensive unit.
Goalkeepers Joelle Zarefoss and Brittney Harding lead the backfield from the cage, as the two keepers have been extremely important in solidifying the team’s defense.
Both keepers possess strong communication skills and have an outstanding work ethic that will help to keep the team together this season. Each saw significant playing time last year, which will make for a very competitive atmosphere in goal during the preseason camp.
Another up-and-coming goalkeeper is Emily McNiff, who has shown tremendous improvement and continues to grow in her technical and communication skills.
The Rams look to open the season with Lehigh and will face some tough out-of-conference competition, including defending national champion North Carolina, Penn State, Rutgers and Towson.
With such a challenging non-conference slate, the team hopes to gain momentum as they face their conference opponents in October.
For the third consecutive year, the Vonnie Gros Classic will highlight West Chester University’s 2008 home slate. The 3rd Annual event features a rematch of last year’s national championship game when North Carolina takes on Penn State.
Also dotting West Chester’s home schedule is Ursinus, who finished third nationally in the final Division III polls, in the annual Eleanor Snell game. The West Chester-Ursinus rivalry is believed to be one of the oldest field hockey rivalries in the country.
The Golden Rams plan on honoring former legendary head coach Vonnie Gros by naming the turf field behind Sturzebecker Health Science Center before the contest with Ursinus. The ceremony is expected to bring back many of the Golden Rams’ former great field hockey alumni, who will pay homage to their innovative mentor in such a fitting tribute. Vonnie Gros Field will be officially dedicated on September 28, 2008.
In addition to the field-naming ceremony, West Chester University will also be celebrating its 50th year of women’s sports in intercollegiate athletics. The field hockey program was one of those pioneer sports that went varsity during the 1959-60 campaign.
West Chester boasts one of the richest traditions in college field hockey history and that is a tribute to all of the student-athletes and coaches, who have gone through the university and contributed to the success of the Golden Rams for half a century.
West Chester University continues its progress towards a conference championship, which has eluded the traditionally historic program since 1999. A talented freshman recruiting class has the Golden Rams faithful excited about the fall season ahead.
If West Chester is to return to the postseason, Krannebitter needs to develop those talented freshmen quickly and mold a midfield that can create turnovers, generate some offense and still support the defense.
Seven seniors will give the otherwise youthful roster a solid foundation on which to build. With a number of one-goal losses a year ago behind them, West Chester University may be on the verge of breaking its playoff drought in 2008.
